Neat or on the Rocks: The Top 5 Scotch Bars in Las Vegas

The Whisky Attic at the Freakin’ Frog features more than 600 whiskies, perhaps the largest collection in the country.

“I love scotch. Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly…” Oh, Ron Burgundy. We know the feeling. Scotch is that lovely brown elixir made from malt and grain, produced in Highland, Lowland, Islay, Speyside and Campbeltown in Scotland. While Scotch can only be made in Scotland, whisky and all of its incarnations (whiskey, bourbon, rye) have their own hideaways in Las Vegas where you can order up two fingers, neat or on the rocks. Here’s a look at the top five.

1
Whisky Attic

We might as well start off with the kingpin. Slip upstairs to the Whisky Attic at the Freakin' Frog to sample one of more than 600 whiskies, one of the largest collections in the country. Relax with friends over board games, rifle through the huge collection of books on the elixir and be prepared for a ride through all that is whisky. Ask owner Adam Carmer to show you his Carmer Method of tasting whisky that will change the way you smell, taste and drink it, especially if you like it on the rocks. (Don’t smell it first. Take a small sip and let it sit under your tongue for a five count. Then swallow three to eight times. You’re ready to actually taste and smell the whisky now. You'll never want it on the rocks again.) Just know that it’s best to call ahead to find out if the Whisky Attic is open. Carmer holds frequent private dinners and tastings in the upstairs hideaway.

4700 S. Maryland Parkway

702.597.9702

2
Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak

Steakhouses seem to be the denizens of good Scotch lists, and Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak at the MGM Grand certainly tops that list. The 10-page list of whiskys contains more than 200 styles, including Macallan’s Speyside aged 55 years. If you want a variety, go for one of the flights to accompany your cut of beef.

MGM Grand

702.891.7318

3
Stripsteak

Another good spot to check out is Stripsteak, Michael Mina’s steakhouse at Mandalay Bay. The book of whiskies contains more than 100 covering single- and double-malts, Lowlands and Highlands. Each page includes information and photos of the unique distillery where the whisky was produced. Esquire named Stripsteak's butter-poached bone-in top loin the Best Steak in the United States, a perfect accompaniment to two fingers of Scotch.

Mandalay Bay

702.632.7414

4
Casa Fuente

We like the idea of swilling Scotch at Casa Fuente at the Forum Shops at Caesars because you can pair your whisky along with a stogie. Be sure to ask for Rathna Singh, the Embajadora de la Casa, to help you pair one of the 27 single-malt Scotches and 28 whiskeys on the drink list with your cigar. While Casa Fuente is considered a cigar bar, it does plan to start up a Scotch Society soon. We’ll share the details when we get them.

Caesars

702.731.5051

5
Twin Creeks

Consider Twin Creeks at the Silverton Lodge your lesson in bourbon and American whiskies. Bourbon can only be produced in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and Twin Creeks has 24 on the menu. Try a flight of whiskey or rye, or try one of the specialty drinks such as a New Fashioned with Basil Hayden and seasonal fruits or the mint julep made with Woodford Reserve and muddled mint.